Top 5 Most Popular K-Pop Artists Around The World Revealed By Korean Government Survey

#1 has 31.3% of the overall votes.

The Global Hallyu Trends survey was conducted again this year by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), and the results for 2023 have just been released. The survey uncovers how Korean cultural content is perceived around the world. It included 25,000 men and women between the ages of 15 and 59 from 26 different countries.

Among other things, the participants were asked to vote on who is their current favorite Korean singer/group. The survey reported that the five following K-Pop acts were the most popular ones around the world.

1. BTS

The worldwide K-Pop sensation dominated the survey, accumulating 31.3% of the votes overall.

| @bangtan.official/Facebook

BTS released their first anthology album Proof in June 2022, which was followed by massive success and countless achievements. Soon after, the members announced during a live “dinner” with fans that they would be taking a “hiatus” from group activities. This, however, did not stop the group from continuing to dominate the industry with each of the members’ solo works — from J-Hope’s Jack In The Box to RM’s Indigo — garnering huge amounts of success and attention.

RM “Indigo” teaser. | BIGHIT MUSIC

Thus, it’s no surprise the boy band remained number one on this year’s Global Hallyu Trend survey as well.

J-Hope “Jack In The Box” teaser | BIGHIT MUSIC

2. BLACKPINK

Likewise, BLACKPINK also had yet another big year which was reflected in the results of this survey. They took the second spot with 10.8% of the votes.

| YG Entertainment

The groundbreaking girl group released their second full album Born Pink on September 2022. The release was met with enormous success selling over 2 million copies and debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200. BLACKPINK also held their second world tour, which began on October 15, 2022, in Seoul and is expected to end in June of this year.

The group’s singles “Pink Venom” and “Shut Down” were met with equal success, breaking numerous records and introducing new accomplishments for the members.

3. PSY

PSY took the third spot on the survey with 2.6% of the votes.

| The New York Times

Following the trailblazing success of “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman” PSY released yet another song that was soon to be added to the roster of his viral hits. “That That,” featuring BTS’s Suga, was released on April 2022 as the title track of the artist’s ninth studio album.

The catchy hit track went viral and accumulated various achievements, winning a Digital Bonsang at the 2023 Golden Disk Awards and gaining nominations for song of the year on other various prestigious award shows.

4. TWICE

The JYP girl group ranked fourth on the Global Hallyu Survey with 1.8% of the votes.

| JYP Entertainment</!>

2022 was quite a busy year for TWICE. The group’s main vocalist, Nayeon, had her official solo debut in June with IM NAYEON the first mini-album. After Nayeon’s promotions wrapped up, TWICE reportedly renewed their contracts with JYPEntertainment. The news was then followed by the girl group’s 11th Korean mini album Between 1&2.

5. IU

Ever present on surveys like these, IU proves her popularity and stability once again. She ranked fifth on the survey with 1.7% of the votes.

| @dlwlrma/Instagram

IU’s first project of 2022 was her feature on Jay Park’s “Ganadara,” which was met with amazing success, peaking at #1 on both Circle Chart Digital ranking and the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100. Following her success as a singer, IU starred in the film Broker, whose premiere was held at the 75th Cannes Film Festival and earned her a nomination for Best New Actress.

The artist also held a two-day concert, The Golden Hour, at the Seoul Olympic Stadium in Seoul, making her the first Korean female artist to do so.

Source: KOFICE
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